Just 2% of £200m jail investment made

Current Prisons Minister David Ford made the revelation when asked by East Londonderry MLA Gregory Campbell how much public money had been spent on the preparation and development of the new Prison at Magilligan in the last four years. He revealed: “The total costs spent to date on the preparation and development of the new Prison at Magilligan is £3,772,595.” This is just 1.9 per cent of the £200m investment promised in 2008. Mr Ford said it was a small adjustment to previous figures following finalisation of accrued costs. It follows the recent recommendation of an independent prison review that “ideally, a new prison should be built in a more suitable location” than the mouth of Lough Foyle. Over three years ago former NIO Minister Mr Goggins announced a new 800 capacity jail costing £200m would be built at Magilligan with work expected to start in 2011/12. It was suggested then the prison would be built on a phased basis and completed by 2015. But the final report of Dame Anne Owens’ Prison Review Team, whilst arguing that a clear decision should be made on the role and future of Magilligan, stated: “Ideally, a new prison should be built in a more accessible location. “Failing that, there should be a timed programme either to rebuild it for a new role or to refurbish existing accommodation.” Mr Campbell also asked the Minister “in light of the conclusion in the interim report ‘Review of the Northern Ireland Prison Service’ to ‘focus on rehabilitation, safety and cost,’ whether the next stage of the Review will include examining the benefits of the Prison Service owned site at Magilligan and the work at Foyleview?” Mr Ford stated: “I have made clear my intentions to modernise the Northern Ireland Prison Service. “Work on the development of a new estates strategy will assess the future role of the prison at Magilligan. “In line with the Prison Review Teams findings this will include exploring a range of options for the future site including examining the existing benefits of the Magilligan site.”